Navigating the maze of Lyme Disease can make anybody’s head spin. It’s overwhelming emotionally if you have it. Not only are there a plethora of medical decisions that have to be made but there are emotional and mental health challenges that each survivor needs to overcome to live the best life possible in the duration of the illness. This list of best books about Lyme disease can help you through your healing journey.
The titles listed below are all informative and not ranked in any specific order. These Lyme disease books are not only useful for people struggling with Lyme Disease, but also for people who know someone with the illness.
Top Lyme disease memoirs
Believe Me: My Battle with the Invisible Disability of Lyme Disease – By Yolanda Hadid, 2018
The star of the popular reality TV show, Yolanda Hadid, shares her experience of dealing with Lyme disease and how it affected her life. It showcases the problems that come with diagnosing this disease properly and how conflicted the medical community still is on the subject. The book is an interesting and gripping tale of the effects of Lyme disease and how to beat it.
Dancing In The Narrows: A Mother-Daughter Odyssey Through Chronic Illness – by Anna Penenberg, 2020
Dancing in the Narrows is a riveting tale of a mother-daughter healing. It addresses the trauma associated with Lyme disease, as well as unexpected humor and adventure. This is an inspirational and motivational story for anyone close to someone struggling with the terror of Lyme disease. It is a beautiful story and instills hope and courage in the reader.
Sick: A Memoir – By Porochista Khakpour, 2018
Khakpour gives the reader on a personal glance into how she suffered with Lyme disease and what she did to overcome it. An inspiring tale of hope and uncertainty, Sick showcases the effects that Lyme disease can have on one’s life. It is a must-read for anyone looking to understand the emotional trauma that comes with this chronic illness.
This is How I Save My Life: A True Story Of Finding Everything When You Are Willing to Try Anything – By Amy B. Scher, 2018
Scher guides us through India, where she seeks rare stem cell treatment for her late-stage chronic Lyme disease. A heartwarming and uplifting tale, This Is How I Save My Life shows that where there is a will, there is a way. Scher was labeled incurable in America. Instead of succumbing to depression, she chose life. That decision took her on a wild ride that included cultural mayhem, radical medical treatment, an unexpected romance, and, most importantly, a piece of herself she never knew was missing.
Two Week Window: Living with Lyme and Thriving in Life – By Kristy Wood-Giles, 2018
This is the story of an active and fitness fanatic that lost her ability to walk due to Lyme disease. Wood-Giles’ struggle, and courage will surely leave you inspired. Her will to fight and rise to challenge is what saved her life. This book is a great choice for anyone looking for a ray of light in the darkness.
Bite Me: How Lyme Disease Stole My Childhood, Made Me Crazy, and Almost Killed Me – by Ally Hilfiger, 2017
By offering readers insight into how to transition from victim to survivor, Bite Me is motivational. Hilfiger shares the spiritual principles and actions that contributed to the fashion heiresses wholeness as a human, mother, and international Lyme disease advocate. It is an inspiring account of the author’s life, the hardships that she went through, and how she overcame them. It is a great read to understand the effect of Lyme disease on people’s lives.
Fighting for My Life: How I Found God and Beat Lyme Disease – By Patrick Collins, 2017
Collins takes the reader through different hurdles he had to overcome due to Lyme disease. Despite losing his childhood to the disease, he still persevered. Collins eventually achieved the life that he wanted. He cultivated a loving family, a prosperous career in baseball and supportive friends to cheer him on. This book provides insight into the complexities that come with Lyme disease.
Lyme Madness: Rescuing My Son Down The Rabbit Hole of Chronic Lyme Disease – By Lori Dennis, 2016
The story of a mother whose son falls sick with a mysterious illness, Lyme Madness is a detailed account of how Dennis fights for answers and never gives up. The book provides readers with a detailed account of the politics and medical confusion around this devastating illness.
Suffering the Silence: Chronic Lyme Disease in an Age of Denial – By Allie Cashel, 2015
An insightful read, Suffering In Silence features stories of Lyme disease patients from around the world who were denied help due to misdiagnosis. Cashel weaves in wisdom from her 16-year struggle with chronic Lyme disease. This book emphasizes the uncertainty surrounding Lyme and the challenges that come with it.
Out of the Woods: Healing from Lyme Disease for Body, Mind, and Spirit – By Katina I. Makris, 2015
Rooted in personal recovery, alternative medicine and a poetic connection to nature, Out Of The Woods transcends the boundaries of Lyme disease. It reaffirms the power of hope for anyone grappling with a life-shattering chronic illness.
Gone in a Heartbeat: A Physician’s Search for True Healing – By Dr. Neil Spector, 2015
This book follows Dr. Spector’s struggle with Lyme disease, which brought him to the brink of death. This emotional story highlights the pain and suffering that Lyme disease can cause from a medical professional’s perspective. While Spector recently passed, his contribution to the Lyme community will be forever appreciated.
A Twist of Lyme: Battling a Disease That Doesn’t Exist – By Andrea H. Caesar, 2013
Caesar shares her experience of contracting Lyme disease in her early years. She wasn’t properly diagnosed until age 36. This book takes the reader through the internal thoughts and struggles that Caesar had to endure over the years.
The Widening Circle: A Lyme Disease Pioneer Tells Her Story – By Polly Murray, 1996
A pioneer in Lyme disease awareness, Polly Murray was the first person to bring attention to the illness. This book chronicles her life and the struggle that she went through when she and her family contracted the disease. The Widening Circle is a foundational book in the Lyme community.
Best Lyme disease research books
When Your Child Has Lyme Disease: A Parent’s Survival Guide – By Sandra K. Berenbaum and Dorothy Kupcha Leland, 2015
Lyme disease presents so many challenges, especially for families with children suffering from the illness. Part thorough parent guide and part memoir, Berenbaum and Leland offer actionable advice harnessed from decades of experience, both personal and professional, helping families face Lyme. Filled with insights on how to address relationships, education, supporters and people who just don’t get it, When Your Child Has Lyme Disease is a must read Lyme disease book for families struck by the sickness.
Lyme Disease: Medical Myopia & the Hidden Global Pandemic – By Dr. Bernard Raxlen with Allie Cashel, 2019
In this well researched book, Dr. Raxlen explores reasons behind why Lyme disease is often misdiagnosed and mistreated. He shares insights from over 30-years of treating Lyme disease patients as well as perspectives from other renowned doctors from around the world. A former patient of Dr. Raxlen, Lyme survivor and author, Allie Cashel, also contributes her wisdom about what life after Lyme is like. This is a must read for people looking for input from an array of medical experts.
Bitten: The Secret History of Lyme Disease and Biological Weapons – By Kris Newby, 2019
Newby, who had Lyme disease in 2002, shares her researched account of the history behind Willy Burgdorfer’s discovery of the microbe responsible for Lyme disease. It also reveals Burgdorfer’s simultaneous involvement in developing biological weapons. Bitten sheds new light on the genesis of Lyme disease and how it has evolved.
Cure Unknown: Inside the Lyme Epidemic – Pamela Weintraub, 2013
Weintraub, a biomedical journalist, provides a detailed history of Lyme disease and the evolution of treatment. Cure Unknown guides you through Lyme’s origins and evolution. A fascinating read that explores biological complexities, political interest, money, and scientific battles, Cure Unknown is a must-read if you or someone you know is suffering from Lyme disease.
Best Lyme disease treatment books
How Can I Get Better?: An Action Plan for Treating Resistant Lyme & Chronic Disease – By Richard Horowitz, 2017
Dr. Richard Horowitz is one of America’s leading Lyme disease physicians. His book is a revelation in terms of treating, diagnosing, and healing the illness. Horowitz breaks down the disease layer by layer into easily understandable bits. This book offers insight into scientific discoveries regarding Lyme disease and a 7 step action plan to improved health.
The Lyme Disease 30-Day Meal Plan: Healthy Recipes and Lifestyle Tips to Ease Symptoms – By Lindsay Christensen, 2019
A practical guide to natural treatment, The Lyme Disease 30-Day Meal Plan shows patients how to eat and live well. Via dietary changes Lyme warriors ease the pain. This book includes a month-long action plan of simple meals to with Lyme symptoms condition.
Unlocking Lyme: Myths, Truths, and Practical Solutions for Chronic Lyme Disease – By William Rawls MD, 2017
Dr. William Rawls is a physician who was affected by Lyme disease and overcame it. This book offers the reader a look into the methods he used to get better. Rawls explores proven solutions and years of research.
New Paradigms in Lyme Disease Treatment: 10 Top Doctors Reveal Healing Strategies That Work – Connie Strasheim, 2016
As time has passed, new Lyme disease treatments have emerged. Strasheim shares integrative therapies and medical procedures used to treat Lyme disease. It’s a great read for anyone looking for a wider spectrum of information and includes interviews with several doctors in the field.
Why Can’t I Get Better? Solving the Mystery of Lyme and Chronic Disease: Solving the Mystery of Lyme and Chronic Disease By Richard Horowitz, 2013
Another informative book by Dr. Horowitz, this title focuses on the treatment. It touches on what could hinder the process of healing. Why Can’t I Get Better highlights a 16 point diagnostic map that is the core of Horowitz’s groundbreaking Lyme treatment plan. He also introduces the reader to Multiple Systemic Infectious Disease Syndrome (MSIDS), which often accompany Lyme disease. This is a great read for anyone looking to separate fact from fiction when it comes to Lyme disease treatment.
Lyme Brain: The Impact of Lyme Disease on Your Brain and How To Reclaim Your Smarts – By Nicola McFadzean Ducharme ND, 2016
Dr. Ducharme opens up her vault of knowledge on how Lyme affects the brain and what you can do to get better. She discusses several treatments and lifestyle changes that can help patients recover. It provides the reader with actionable treatments methods and lifestyle changes.
Healing Lyme: Natural Healing of Lyme Borreliosis and the Coinfections Chlamydia and Spotted Fever Rickettsiosis – By Stephen Harrod Buhner, 2015
If you’re looking for leading research, treatment and herbal remedies for Lyme disease this is a must-read. By detailing treatment options, Buhner sheds light on what might be most effective for each individual. Updated in 2015, the latest version includes new discoveries since it was first published.
The Beginner’s Guide to Lyme Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment Made Simple – Nicola McFadzean ND, 2012
This book is a great starting point for people new to the topic of Lyme disease. McFadzean explains the disease in a way that is easy to understand. It’s a great resource for doctors, patients, and caregivers who are looking to understand Lyme disease and how to treat it effectively.
When Antibiotics Fail: Lyme Disease and Rife Machines, with Critical Evaluation of Leading Alternative Therapies – By Bryan Rosner, 2005
Conventional medicine has its limitations. If it fails, what can you do? That’s exactly the question Rosner answers in this book. A pioneer in Lyme literature, this book offers insight into the use of frequency devices as treatment for Lyme Disease.
About the author:
Anna Penenberg is an author and a healer. After helping her daughter recover from disease, Penenberg wrote Dancing In The Narrows to provide hope and guidance for families going through similar trauma.